Apparatus for moving of sheet metal strip

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a mechanism for conveying a sheet metal strip, such as plate sheet strip, on a profiling line and/or after it. A mechanism in accordance with the invention is comprised of a sheet metal strip ( 1 ), a profiling line ( 2 ), a hydraulic pressing device ( 3 ) which is located after said profiling line, and said hydraulic pressing device having a hydraulic carrying component ( 4 ) and hydraulic motor ( 5 ) joined to it to move said carrying component

[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanism for conveying asheet metal strip, such as a plate sheet strip, on a profiling lineand/or after it.

[0002] The sheet metal strip is formed to the desired shape on theprofiling line so as to bring about an undulating cross directionprofile. After the profiling line, there is usually a pressing devicewhich presses the sheet metal at certain intervals in the otherdirection, producing a step, or the like. In the following phase, thesheet metal strip is cut with a cutting device. These metal sheets areused, for example, as roof plates in buildings.

[0003] At present, the systems used to convey the sheet metal striprequire an electric motor in the entire mechanism, in other words, bothon the profiling line and after the line for the pressing device andcutting device. In the shaping process, the sheet metal strip is hurriedrepeatedly in its forward movement in the beginning when it is sped upto accelerate from zero to the rate of transfer so that the strip can bemoved at the transfer rate for a limited distance, then be stopped againthroughout the steps of the work process. This continuous engagement anddisengagement of the electric motor at full power strains the electricmotor and precipitates the need for servicing on a relatively frequentbasis. One other disadvantage is also that, when using an electricmotor, a long time is required before the motor can reach its fullcapacity and maximum conveying speed. With the usual conveyingmechanisms, the average speed reached by the sheet metal strip isapproximately 3.5 meters per minute. There are expensive specializedmechanisms which can attain a speed of approximately 7 meters perminute.

[0004] These electric mechanisms use intricate and expensive electricmeasuring devices to measure the length of the sheet metal strip in thedifferent stages of the process. These measuring devices require a largeamount of maintenance. These electric mechanisms also pose a problem incountries and/or regions where the supply of electric current isdiscontinuous or where it is difficult to arrange for maintenance.

[0005] The present invention seeks to provide a mechanism for conveyingsheet metal strip, by which the disadvantages associated with currentmechanisms are eliminated. Specifically, the invention seeks to providea mechanism which can essentially increase the conveyance speed, bywhich the conveyance distance can be freely regulated, and which isreliable in all conditions. Further, the invention seeks to provide amechanism which is advantageous in its operating costs, and which can befitted onto earlier mentioned mechanisms.

[0006] The object of the invention is accomplished by a mechanism, thecharacteristics of which are set forth in the claims of thisapplication.

[0007] A mechanism according to the invention comprises a hydraulicgripping presser which is located after the sheet metal strip profilingline, and joined to said gripping presser is a hydraulic carryingcomponent and a hydraulic motor which moves the sheet metal strip andthe carrying component. The hydraulically powered mechanism functionsreliably in all conditions. The hydraulic mechanism does not require anelectric current in order for it to operate and it is easy to adjust tocorrespond to different purposes. Furthermore, the maximum conveyancespeed can be attained immediately after the flow begins. The hydraulicmechanism produces a conveyance speed of 7 meters per minute, so thatwith the hydraulic mechanism there is a notable increase in speed.

[0008] According to the invention, in one advantageous application ofthe mechanism, the mechanism is equipped with adjustable limit switchesin order to direct and control the operation of the hydraulic motor,pressing device and carrying component. With the limit switches, theoperation of said mechanism can be directed and controlled reliably andaccording to its purpose.

[0009] Now the invention will be described in a more detailed way withreference to the accompanying drawings in which

[0010]FIG. 1 illustrates a certain application of a mechanism accordingto the invention diagrammatically represented as viewed from the sideand

[0011]FIG. 2 illustrates a certain application of a model profiled metalsheet as viewed from the side.

[0012] A mechanism according to the figure is comprised of a sheet metalstrip 1, profiling line 2, or a hydraulic motor 5 in the immediatevicinity of the profiling line 2. The hydraulic motor 5 is joined as ahydraulic carrying component to the active hydraulic cylinder 4, whichis joined to the hydraulic gripping presser 3, located after theprofiling line. Additionally, the mechanism comprises limit switches 6,7to direct and control the operation of the components which comprise themechanism. The profiling line is conventionally comprised of a pressingdevice 8, used to form a graded profile in the sheet metal strip andcutting device 9 to cut the sheet metal strip.

[0013] In using a mechanism in accordance with FIG. 1, a manual valve 10is placed in position 11 and the sheet metal strip is passed through theprofiling line by the hydraulic motor 5 and then it is passed throughthe gripping presser 3 to point A, after which the hydraulic motor 5stops and the profiled sheet metal is gripped by the gripping presser 3.Next, valve 10 is placed in position 12, at which point the hydraulicfluid is lead simultaneously to the hydraulic cylinder 4 and to themotor 5, whereupon the metal strip is conveyed further. Limit switches6, 7 are adjusted to the desired position in such a way that limitswitch 6 regulates the interval distances in conveyance, which is x+y,in which y represents the longitude of the sheet metal strip and xrepresents the differentiation. Limit switch 7 regulates the entirelength of the sheet metal, which is n×(x+y)+z, in which z represents theextra metal sheeting for the eaves.

[0014] The number of times the sheet metal strip is moved can be setfrom the control center, for example, if the controls are set to five,the limit switch 6 is activated five times by the gripping presser 3,which moves the sheet metal strip with it, then releases the metal stripand returns empty back to the limit switch 6 and then goes once again tolimit switch 7. Every time the gripping presser goes back to itsstarting position, a step is pressed into the sheet metal strip bypressing device 8. When the sheet of metal has reached the desiredlength, it is cut with the cutting device 9. Then the mechanism returnsto the beginning of the work process and the work cycle is repeated.

[0015] The invention is not limited to the advantageous application setforth in this application. The invention is versatile and its form canvary within the frame of the idea put forth in the claims.

1. A mechanism for conveying a sheet metal strip, such as a plate sheetstrip, on a profiling line and/or after it, after which profiling line(2) there is a pressing device (8) used to form a graded profile in thesheet metal strip and a cutting device (9) to cut the sheet metal strip,characterized in that said mechanism is comprised of hydraulic grippingpresser (3) which is located after said profiling line (2) of a sheetmetal strip (1) and before the cutting device (9), and said hydraulicgripping presser (3) having a hydraulic carrying component (4) andhydraulic motor (5) joined to it move said sheet metal strip and saidcarrying component.
 2. A mecanism as claimed in claim 1 , characterizedin that said mechanism is comprised of adjustable limit switches (6, 7)to direct and control the operation of the hydraulic motor, thehydraulic gripping presser and the carrying component.